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AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, 



DID THE COLONISTS DESIRE IT? 



LETTERS OF JOHN JAY AND JOHN ADAMS. 



LETTERS A^D DOCUMENTS 



i)t' OTIIEU 



Actors in the Ameeican Eevolutjon. - 



OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES 

OK THE 

New-England Historic, Genealogical Society, 

18 7 6. 



President- 
The Hon. MARSHALL P. WILDER, of Boston, 
Vice-Presidents. 
The Hon. Israel Washburn. Jr., LL.D., of Portland, 
William B. TowNE. A.M., of Milf'ovd, . . . . 
The Hon. Hiland Hall. LL.D., of Bennington. 
The Hon. George C. Richardson, of Boston, 
The Hon. John R. Bartlett, A.M., of Providence, . 
The Hon. Henrv P. Haven, of New-London, 

Honorary Vice-Presidents. 

The Hon. John A. Dix, LL.D., of New-York, 

William A. Whitehead, A.M.. of Newark, 

William Duane, Esq.. of Pliihidelphia, .... 

The Rev. Edward A. Dalrymple, D.D.. of Baltimore, 

The Hon. \\'illiam A. Richardson, LL.D., of Washiniiton, 

The Hon. Silas N. Martin, of VViliuington, 

The Hon. Thomas Spooner. of Reading, .... 

The Rev. Joseph F. Tuttle. D.I)., of Crawfoi'dsville, 

Lyman (^ Draper, LL.D., of Madison, .... 

The Rev. William (i. Eliot, D.D.. LL.D., of St. Louis. 

The Rt. Rev. William I. Kip, D.D., LL.D., of San Francisco. 

Corresponding Secretary. 
The Rev. Edmund F. Slafter, A.M.. of Boston, 

Recording Secretary. 

David Greene Haskins, Jr.. A.M., of Cambridge, . 

Treasurer. 
Benjamin Barstow Torrey, of Boston, 

Historiographer. 
The Rev. Samuel Cutler, of Bo-ston, 

Ijibrax'ian. 
John Ward Dean. A.M., of Boston, 



Massachn.«-<-tt« 



Maine. 

New-Haiir|.shi 

Vermont. 

Massacliiisftt> 

Rhode-Isiiiiul. 

Connecticut. 



New- York. 

New-Jerso> . 

Pennsyhiuii:!. 

Maryland. 

District of C olninbia. 

North Ciiroliii:i. 

Ohio. 

Indiana. 

Wisconsin. 

Missouri. 

Californi;i. 



Massacho.-iftts. 



Massaclmsclt.- 



Massachiiscit.^ 



Massrtclui.-ctt-^ 



. Massaciui-<-tts. 
Directors. 
The Hon. George C. Richardson, Boston. The Hon. John Cummings. V\ oburn. 

Charles W. Tuttle, A.M., Boston. John Foster, Boston. 

The Hon. Charles f>Evi Woodbury, Boston. 

Committee on Publication. 
Albert H. Hoyt. A.M., Boston. The Rev. Lucius R. pM.;t:. I) D 

. John W^ard Dean. A.M., Boston. Cambridge. 

William B. Towne, A.M., Milford. N. H. H. H. Edes, Boston. 

Jeremiah Colburn, A.M., Boston. 

Committee on the Library. 
James F. Hunnewell, Boston. Deloraine P. Corey. Maiden. 

Jeremiah Colburn, A M.. Boston. Prof. Charles P. Otis, Ph. P.. Busion. 

George T. Littlefield, Boston. 

Com?nittee on Finance. 
William B. Towne, A.M., Milford, N.H. The Hon. Charles B. Ham . Ho.^lon. 
Henry Edwards, Boston. Percival L. Everett. Boston, 

The Hon. Edward S. Tobey, A.M., of Boston. 

Committee on Papers and Essays. 
The Rev. Dorus Clarke, D.D., Boston. The Hon. Wm. S. (jIardner, A.M.. Iloston 
Frederic Kidder, Melrose. Albert B. Otis. A.M., Bo.stun. 

The Rev. I. N. Tarbox, D.D., Boston. Abram E. Cutter, Boston. 

Committee on Heraldry. 
The Flon. Thos. C. Amory. A.M., Boston. Augustus T. Perkins, A.M.. Boston. 
Abner C. Goodell, Jr., A.M., Salem. William S. Appleton, A.M.. Boston. 
George B. Chase, A.M., Bost(m. 

1^" Communications to the officers may be addressed Tin-: S<<. ikty's 
House, 18 Somerset Street, Boston. 



AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, 



DID THE COLONISTS DESIRE IT? 



LETTERS OF JOHN JAY AND JOHN ADAMS. 



LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 



OF OTHER 



Actors in the American Revolution. 



COMPILED Bp^ 

JEREMIAH C O L B U R N 



?:^y 



BOSTON ; 
1876. 






" Hutchinson says that, as early as 1765, Samuel Adams owned without reserve, in private dis- 
course, that he was for the independence of tlie colonies, and adds, that ' from time to time he 
made advances towards it in public, as far as would serve to the great purpose of attaining to it.' " 
— Life of Samuel Adams. 

" The character of your Mr. Samuel Adams runs very high here. I find many who consider 
him the first politician in the world. I have found more reason every day to convince me that 
he has been right, when others supposed him wrong."— J^ost«/i Quincy, Jr., London, 1774. 



Reprinted from the New-England Historical and Genealogical Register 

for July, 1876. 



David Clapp & Son, Printers. 



^ 



^°^ 



cw 



DID THE AMERICAISr COLONISTS DESIRE 
INDEPENDENCE ? 



^ 



^|"^ME followinii; letters from John Jav and Ex-Presideut John 
■- Adams to the transhitor of Botta's "History of the American 
lievolution'' are copied from the originals in mv possession. The 
letter of Mr. Jay is entirely antoi^raph ; but only the signature in 
that of Mr. Adams is in liis handwriting. 

These letters will be read with interest ; for they give important 
inform vtion as to the state of feeling previous to the Revolution in 
the British American Colonies in regard to independence of the 
English ci'ovvn. 

Letter of John Jay. 

Bedford, West Chester County, State of New York, 13"^ Jan-^' 1S21. 
Sir 

I have rec'* your Letter of the 23*^ ult — expressing a Desire that Bot- 
ta's History and your Translation of it, may have my approbation — And 
also that I would mention to you the most authentic of the Documents 
which are before the Public, relative to the negociations at Paris in 1782. 

Having as yet rec'' and read only the Jirst volume of the History, I cannot 
form, and consequently cannot express, an opinion of the whole work. 

As to the Jf?'st volume — there are in it certain assertions, Representa- 
tions, and Suggestions, of which there are some which I believe to be erro- 
neous, and others which I suspect to be inaccurate. Being too feeble either 
to write or to read much at a Time without Fatigue; I forbear to enume- 
rate tliem. I will nevertheless, for your satisfaction, select and notice one 
uf the most important — viz'. 

That anterior to the Revolution, there existed in the Colonies a Desire of 
Independence. 

The following extracts respect this Topic : — 

Page 10. "The Love of the Sovereign and their ancient country, which 
the first colonists might have retained in their new Establishments, gradually 
diminished in the Hearts of their Descendants." 

P. 11. ** The greater part of tlie Colonists had heard nothing of Great 
Britain, excepting that it was a distant Kingdom, from which their ances- 
tors had been barbarously expelled." 



p. 12. "As the me.iuis of Constniiiit became almost illusory in the 
Hands of the Government, there must liave arisen and i;radually increased 
in the minds of the Americans, the Hope and with it the Desire to shake 
off' tlie Yoke of EngHsh superiority." " The Colonists supported iinpa- 
tieHtly the superiority of the IJritish Government." 

P. 15. '•Such was the State of the English colonies in America, 
such the nplaioiis and Disposltiuas of those who inhal)ited them, about the 
middle of the Eighteenth century." " It was impossible that they should 
liave remained ignorant of what they were capa!)hi ; and that the progres- 
cive Devehipement of national Pride should not have rendered the British 
Yoke iutolerahle." 

P. 33. '• Already those who were the most zealous for Liberty, or the 
most ambitious, had formed in the secret of their iieai ts the Resolution to 
shake off the Yoke of England whenever a favorable occasion shouhl pre- 
sent. This Design was encouraged by the recent cession of Canada." 

P. I'Jl). "The Colonists looked upon (the Congress of 1774) as a con- 
vention of men who in some mode or other, were to deliver their country 
from the Perils that menaced it. The greater part believed that their 
al)ility &" would enai)le them to obtain from the Government, a Removal 
of the Evils that o])pressed them, and the Re-establishment of the ancient 
order of Things. Some others cherished the Belief, that they would find 
means to conduct the American nation to that Independence, which was the 
first and most ardent of their aspirations or rather the sole Object of that 
intense passion, which stung .and tormented them, night and Day." 

P. 314. " Both (Putnam and Ward) had declared themselves too openly 
in favor of Independence. The congress desired indeed to procure it, but 
withall in a pro|)itious Time." 

P. 'dSS. Thus ceased, as we have related, the Royal Authority in the 
diflf'erent Provinces. It was replaced progressively by that of the People ; 
that is by congresses or conventions extraordinary, that were formed in 
each Colony. But this was deemed insufficient by those, who directed the 
affiiirs of America — their real Object being Independence.^'' 

Explicit Professions and Assurances of Allegiance and Loyalty to the 
Sovereign (especially since the accession of King William) and of affection 
for the mother Country, abound in the Journals of the colonial Legislatures, 
and of the congresses and conventions, from early Periods to the second 
Petition of congress in 1775. 

If those Professions and Assurances were sincere, they afford Evidence 
more than sufficient to invalidate the charge of our desiring and aiming at 
Independence. 

If, on the other hand, those Professions and Assurances were fiictitious 
and deceptive, they present to the world an unprecedented Instance of long- 
continued, concurrent, and detestable Duplicity in the colonies. Our coun- 
ivy does not deserve this odious and disgusting Imputation. During the 
course of my Life, and until after the second Petition of congress (in 1775), 
I never did hear any American, of any class, or of any Description, express 
a wish for the Independence of the colonies. 

Eew Americans had more or better means and 0()portunities of becoming 
acquainted with the Sentiments and Disposition of the colonists relative to 
pul)lic affairs than the late Docf Franklin. In a letter to his son, dfjted the 
'2.2 March, 1775, he relates a conversation which he had with Lord Chat- 
ham in the preceding month of August. His Lordship having mentioned 



an opinion prevailing in England, that America aimed at setting up for it- 
self as an independent State, the Docf thus expressed himself. 

" I assured him, that having more than once travelled almost from one 
End of the continent to the other, and kept a great variety of company, eat- 
ing, drinking and conversing with them freely, I never had heard, in any 
Conversation, from any Person, drunk or soher, the least Expression of a 
wish for a Separation ; or a Hint that such a Thing would be advantageous 
to America." 

It does not appear to me necessary to enlarge further on this subject. It 
has always been, and still is. my Opinion and Belief, that our country was 
prompted and impelled to Independence by necessity and not by choice. 
They who know how we were then circumstanced, know from whence that 
necessity resulted. 

It would indeed be extraordinary if a Foreigner, remote (like M'' Botta) 
from the best Sources of authentic Information, should in writing such a 
Histor^r, commit no mistakes. That Gentleman doubtless believed his nar- 
rations to be true. But it is not improbable that he sometimes selected his 
materials with too little apprehension of Error ; and that some of his In- 
formers were too little scrui)uIous. This Remark derives a degree of 
Weight from the following Passage in the History, viz' : 

General Montgomery " left a Wife, the Object of all his Tenderness, 
with several children, still Infants — a spectacle for their country, at once of 
Pity and Admiration. The State, from Gratitude towards their Father, 
distinguisli'^ them with every mark of Kindness and Protection." 

I have been acquainted with General Montgomery's Widow from my 
Youth. The fact is, she never had a child. 

In making the Translation, attention has doubtless been paid to the Rule 
that a Translator should convey into his Translation with Perspicuity and 
Precision, the Ideas of his Author, and no others ; and express them, not 
literally, but in well adapted classical Language. How far your Trans- 
lation is exactly correct, I am an incompetent Judge ; for, not understand- 
ing the Language of the original, I cannot examine and compare the Trans- 
lation with it. Of the style and manner of the Translation, I think well. 

Which are the most authentic Documents before the Public, relative to 
the negociatioiis at Paris in 1782? is a question which I am not in capacity 
to answer. Many years have elapsed since I have read any of them ; and 
others have since been published, which I have not seen. Without a ])vq- 
vious and careful Examination of each of them, it would be rash and unfair 
to give a Preference to either. 

On receiving yowv first Letter, I conjectured that you was of the respect- 
able Family of your name in Massachusetts ; and that conjecture appears 
from your lust to have been well founded. If in going from Philadelphia 
to Boston, you should not Hnd it inconvenient to take the Road through 
this Town, you will meet with a welcome Reception from 

Sir your ob' Serv' 

George Alexander Otis P^scf. JoHX Jay. 

The -'^ Vol. was bi'ouglit here this Evening. 

[Addressed: •' George Alexander Otis, Esq'' | Philadelphia."] 



Letter of John Adams. 

Montezillo, February 9"' 1821. 
Dear Sir 

I thank you for your favour of the 29 January, and your Translation 
of Botta. I have not yet read it for I received it but yesterday, and reading 
IS to me so laborious, and painful an occupation, that it requires a long time. 
But I cannot refrain from expressing the {pleasure I have received from the 
reasoning of Mr. Jay, upon the passage from Botta — "That anteriour to the 
Kevolution there existed in the Colonies a desire of Independence." There 
IS great ambiguity in the expression, there existed in the Colonies a desire 
of Independence — it is true there always existed in the Colonies a desire of 
Independence of Parliament, in the articles of internal Taxation, and 
Internal policy ; and a very general if not a universal opinion, that they 
were Constitutionally entitled to it, and as general a detei-mination if possible, 
to maintain, and defend it — but there never existed a desire of Independence 
of the Crown, or of general regulations of Commerce, for the equal and 
impartial benefit of all parts of the Empire. — It is true there might be 
times and circumstances in which an Individual, or few Individuals, might 
entertain and express a wish that America was Independent in all respects, 
but these were "rari nantes in gurgite vasto." For example in one thousand 
seven hundred and fifty six, seven, and eight, the conduct of the British 
Generals Shirley, Braddock, Loudon, Webb and Abercroml)y was so absurd, 
disastrous, and distructive, that a veiy general opinion y)revailed that the 
War was conducted by a mixture of Ignorance, Treacliery and Cowardice, 
and some persons wished we had nothing to do with Great Britain for ever. 
Of this number I distinctly remember, I was myself one, fully believing 
that we were able to defend ourselves against the French and Indians, 
without any assistance or embarrassment from Great Britain. In fifty eight 
and fifty nine, when Amherst and Wolfe changed the fortune of the War, 
l)y a more able and fiiithful conduct of it, I again rejoiced in the name of 
Britain, and should have rejoiced in it, to this day, had not the King and 
Parliament committed high Treason and Rebellion against America as soon 
as they had conquered Canada, and made Peace with France. Tiiat there 
existed a general desire of Independence of the Crown in any part of 
America before the Revolution, is as far from the truth, as the Zc;nith is 
from the Nadir. That the encroaching disposition of Gi'eat Britain was 
early foreseen by many wise men, in all the States, would one day attempt 
to enslave them, by an unlimited submission to Parliament, and rule them 
with a rod of Iron ; that this attempt would produce I'esistaiice on the part of 
America, and an avvlul struggle was also foreseen but dreaded and deprecated 
as the greatest Calamity that couhl befal them. For my own part, there 
was not a moment during the Revolution, when I would not have given 
every thing I possessed for a restoi'ation to the State of things before the 
Contest began, pi'ovided we could have had any sufficient security for its 
continuance. I always dreaded the Revolution as frauglit with ruin, to mw 
and my family, and indeed it has been but little better. I couhl entertain 
von with many little trifiing anecdotes which though familiar and vulgar, 
w.)u]d indicate the temper, feelings, and forebodings among the people, that 
I cannot wiite. 

I see at the end of the Biograpliv. of the Autlior. that Uoftn has written 
till! l>io^^■aplly of Juiiu Adams. — I never saw, or heard of it lieforr. but if 



he means me, it must be a curious mess, for he can certainly have no 
authentic information on the very insignificant subject. 

I am Sir, Your obliged fiiend 
George Alexander Otis, Esq'"'' and humble servant, 

John Adams. 



DOCUMEXTS AND LETTERS BY ACTORS IX THE 
AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 

IN THE COLLECTION OF THE COMPILEK. 

Gen. Sir Robert Piyot. 

GEN. Pigot was commander of the thirty-eighth regiment at the 
battle of Blinker Hill. He was thanked in general orders for 
the prominent part he took in the engagement. His regiment liad 
nine officers among the killed and wounded. 

" Here the firm anim iting Pigot fought, 
His WiU-lilvC tliuiie the gallant leaders caught; 
The privates felt its force, from man to man 
T' excell in tight an emulation ran." 

Cocking' s Poem, London, 1781. 

Mr. Wheeler, 

Will you b^ so good as to let my Landlord or his Brother know if you 
can find an Opportunity that I do not intend to be his Tenant any longer 
after the year expires, as I am obliged to reside on this side the water & can 
have but little Use & no Enjoyment of his House. If he has no Objection 
my Serv' shall continue in it & a Sentry kept at the gate till he can provide 
a Tenant, or will send any one to take care of it 

I am Sir 
Bunker's Hill yr. very Hum'. Serv^ 

24 July [1775] R'. Pigot. 

Gen. John lliomas. 

He was born in jNIarsiffield, Mass., 1725, and died in Chamblee, 
Canada, June 2, 1776. 

" By the way, I must do justice to Thomas ; he is a good officer, 
and is esteemed. We have no trouble with his camp ; it is always 
in good order, and things are conducted with dignity and spirit in 
the military style." — James Warren to Samuel Adams, June 21, 
1775. 

Roxbury Feb^ 17"^ 1776. 
Rec*^. of Cap' Amos Turner two pounds Nine Shillings & Eight pence 
half penny which being the Balance of Wages Due from Said Cap* Turner 
to M'' Calvin Garnet a Private in said Turner's Company 

Jn** Thomas 



John Glover, Brigadier General. 

He joined the army at Cambridge in 1775 with 1000 men from 
Marbk'Iiead, was in the advance of the army which crossed the Dehi- 
ware on the niglit of the 25th of December, 177(). "I think I may 
tell you without flattery, that I know of no man better quahfied than 
you to conduct a brigade." — Washington to Glover, AiJril 2^, 
1777. 

Sir, 

I rec*' yours by yonr boy respecting the swivils Borrow'' for the Use of 
y" American Navey. Doubtless you remember when I rec'^ y"^ Guns, it was 
agreed that if they shoukl be Lost, I was to see you paid four pounds for 
the pair, agreeable to that I maid my return to General Washington I 
therefore Cannot of my self pay a greater Prise. I think if I mistake not 
I gave you a Eeceipt for that amount which if you will receive, I will 
Desier Cap' W" Bartlett to pay. 

I am Sir yours ifcc. 
Beverly Feb-^. 29. 1776. .John Glovek. 

[Addressed : " To Cap' John White Jun^ | In Salem "J 



Col. James Lochioood. 
He was aid to Maj.- General David Wooster. 

Camp, before Quebec, April 2y"\ 1776. 
Dear Sir 

] have just received your favour of yesterday & say in answer — The 
Gen' [Wooster] thinks it will be better that M"^ Lizott should be sent by 
Water than thiough the Country — with regard to the two Vessels Cap' 
Tenyck wlio takes command of Peppers Schooner has Orders to take up all 
suspected Vessels & boats & those two, have been mentioned to him, he will 
stop at Point au Tremble, the Gen' therefore desires you to direct him, at 
any rate to secure those Vessels, he will receive projier information from 
you concerning them — remember me affectionately to your family & believe 
me your most obed' Serv' 

Cap' M'=Neil — Ja' Lockwood 

[Addressed : " To Cxp" Hector M'=Neil | at | Point au Tremble "J 

Maj.- General David Wooster. 
He was born in Stratford, Conn., 1710, and died May 2, 1777, 
from wounds received in an engagement with British troops at Dan- 
bury, Conn., 27th April, 1777. 

Camp Before Quebec, April 26"' 1776 
Dear Sir, 

I am much obliged to you for the information you give me in yours of 
yesterday which I have received & say in answer — I shall Avrite Gen' 
Arnold concerning the Acadien & also to arrest Palmer — 



9 

I have Ordered four Bar'' Pork to be sent you from here should be ghxd 
you would send two of them to Cap" Scott if you can possibly procure flour 
at Point au Tremble I hope in a few days to be able to replace Cash for it. 
I am informed that M' Cole with a large sum was left at Crownpoint & was 
every hour expected at Montreal. 

With regard to the Gaspee please to procure a Pilot & put some hands 
on board of her from Cap" Church's party *fe send her to Jackes Cartier 
with Orders to be left ashore there — Let Matherraan follow his Cap*. 
Tlie Articles for the Maria with a Gunner were sent from this place yester- 
day, I have sent for Cap" Goforth from three Rivers a very good man, to 
take charge of her— Prince, Pepper's Mate 1 shall send after immediately — 
Give meleave to congratulate you upon the Good News from Boston & 
believe me most aiFectionately your very 

hble Serv' 
My Compt' tQ ^-o^jr family David Wooster. 

Cap' Mc Neil 
[Superscribed: "On the Service of the United Colonies" 
Addressed: "To Cap" Hector McNeil | at | Point au Tremble"] 

Col. Elias Dayton. 
In 1759 he was in tlie army under General Wolfe at Quebec. He 
joined the American army in 177.5, and was in the battles of Bran- 
dywine, Germautovvn, Aionmoutli, Springfield, and at the Siege of 
Yorktovvn. 

Fort Stanwix July 18"^ 1776. 
Dr Sir 

Tlie bearer Schuyler has just returned from a scout to Oswego where 

he says everything is as yet quiet he saw a horse & a nuuiber of Cows there 
which he says can be easily brought off if General Schuyler Approves of 
the scheme I will send proper persons with Schuyler to effect it if the 
Cows are left a little longer without doubt our enemy's will possess them — 
I expect tomorrow to dismiss two scouts towards Oswegotse hope to be 
allways so much upon our guard as to prevent being surprised by our 
barbaious enemies what do you think of seting fire to Fort Ontario 

^ E. D. 

Moj.-Gen. William Heath. 
He was born in Roxbury, Mass., March 2, 1737 ; and died there 
Jan. 24, 1814. In early life entered into military duties, in 17(>1 
and 1771-4 was a member of the legislature ; was a member of the 
conunittees of Safety and Corresj)t>ndence and a delegate to the 
Provincial Congress in 1774—5. He joined the army in 1775, and. 
continued till the close of the war. 

Head Q"^. Boston, 1" September 177G. 
Sir, 

You will immediately repair to and take the Command of Castle 
Island. 

I am Sir 

your obed' serv' 
L' Col^ Revere W. Heath, M. Gen^ 

2 



10 

John Gooch, 

New Jersey. Fort Constitution, Sept. 23. 177G. 
Sir 

The many favors Eeceived from you will ever hold a gratfull place in 
my heart, and I flatter myself a Letter will not prove disagreeable as I 
look on myself obliged in gratitude to let you hear from me, as I know you 
must be auctions for the certainty of events of which you can have at that 
distance but a confused account, as I was on the spot will endeavor to give 
3'ou as Concise «fe Just account as possible; on the 15th Inst we evacuated 
New York & took all stores of every kind out of the City, and took 
Possession of hights of Haerlem eight miles from the City, the Enimy 
incamp'd about two miles from us; on the 1 ti"' the Eninimy advanced and 
took Possession of a hight on our Right Flank ab* half a mile Distance 
with about 3000 men, a Party from our Biigade of 1 ")() men who turned 
out as Volunteeis under the command of Lieut. CoP Crary of the Rf^irin' 
I belong to were ordered out if possible to dispossess them, in about 20 
minits the Engagement began with as terrible a lire as ever I heard, when 
Orders came for the whole Brigage imediately to march to support the 
first detachment, the Brigade Consisted of ah' DOO men. we immediately 
formed in fiont of the JCnimy and march'd up in good order through their 
tire, which was incessant till within 70 yards when we Engaged them in 
that situation we engaged them for one hour and eijiht minits. when the 
Emmy Broke & Ran, we persued them to the next higiits. when we weie 
ordered to Retreat Our lose does not exceed in killed and wounded twenty 
five men, the lose of the Enimy was very considerable but cannot be ascer- 
taind, as we observed them to carry of their dead and womided the whole 
time of the Engagement, they left a Number of killed and wounded on the 
Field of Battle & a great number of small Armes, the great Superiority of 
Numbers and every other advantage the Enemy had, when considered makes 
the Victory Glorious, and tho' but over a part of their Army yet the Con- 
sequences of it are attended with advantages very great, as they imediately 
quited the hights all round ns and have not been troublesome sinse, our 
people behaved with the greatest Spirit, and the New England men have 
gained the first J^awrells. I received a slight wound in the Anckle at the 
first of the Engagement but never quited the Field during the Engagement. 
I'm now Ready to give them the second part whenever they have an 
appetite, as I'm convinced whenever stir from their Ships we shall drubb ihem. 
Every thing here is very dear Bum 16s. 1. my : p'^ Galls and every thing 
in proportion. 1 expect to see you in Jan-^' it heaven spares me when i)eihaps 
may fall on a sceme that you may think advantageous as it will be inqiossible 
for me to stay in the Army for eight ])Ounds p"" month should esteem myself 
veiy in having a line, my Best Respects to vour Lady & Family. 
I am with a due sense of obligations 

Your oblig'd & most obd' Servant 

John Goocii. 

[Addressed: "To Thomas Fayerweather Esq | Merch' | In | Boston"] 

William White. 

Fort Washington October S"" 1776. 
IVIr. Comasery Cuts S' pleyse to Let the Baiere have the Rum for Twenty 
seven men on fortugue 

William White Liu* 



11 

Robert Morris, Philip Livingston, Richard H. Lee, William Whipple 
and Francis Lewis, 

111 Secret Committee 

of Congress. Philad*^. Dec^ 4'\ 1776. 

Gent". 
A Committee of Congress was appointed the 25'^ Sepf^. to procure 
Cloathing in all the States on this Continent for the use of our Army and 
we find tliey wrote to you on the 10"* Oct', requesting the favour of you to 
employ proper persons to purchase what cou'd he obtained in your State to 
this letter they have not rec'd any answer and the Congress being very 
anxious and impatient to have this important business duely attended to & 
executed have directed us to send one or more trusty persons into the 
P>astern States to collect what has been bought & to make such further 
purchases of suitable articles as they can accomplish. We have engaged 
Messrs Ab"' Livingston & W™ Turnbull bearers hereof to go upon this 
Service. You will be pleased to direct them to the persons who have made 
purchases on Continental acc't by order, & let the Goods be delivered to 
these Gent™ or their order. We have also by direction of Congress 
authorized them to make further purchases & must b 'g the favour of your 
advice and assistance to them in the prosecution of that business, or that 
you will desire your Committee to give them such assistance. 

We have judged it dangerous to send a large amount of money with 
them at this time on ace'' of the situation of our Enemy neither cou'd we 
judge what sum might be sutficieiit. therefore we request you will order 
them to be supplyed out of vour Public Treasury if needfull, their drafts on 
this Committee for the amount shall be Paid & if desired the money shall 
be sent by express. Your Zeal to serve the general cause on all occasions 
makes us satisfied of your concurrence with our desires & we remaiu with 
the utmost respect 

Gent'". 

Your most Obed't & most 
h'ble Serv'^ 

Rob'. Morris. 
Phil. Livingstox. 
To RicriARD Henry Lee. 

The Hon'>'^ Assembly of W™ Whipple. 

JNIassachusets Bay. Fra: Lewis. 

Gen. George Clinton. 

In Ojtober, 1777, Forts Montgomery and Clinton, on the Hud- 
son river, were bravely defended by Gen. Clinton and his brother 
Gen. James Clinton — the latter being badly wounded. He was the 
first governor of the State of New-York, hohling the office for eight- 
een years, being activ^e in both civil and military offices during the 
war. 

March S-^ 1777 
Sir 

Y^ou are not upon any Pretence whatever unless obliged by the stress 
of weather to land upon Long Island nor to suffer any of your Men so to 
do — nor are you or any of your men in such Case to plunder or distress any 
of the Inhabitants whatever their political Princi|)les or characters m^j' bee 
and these Instructions you are to follow at your Peril. ' ^ 

To Cap' W™ Smith Scudder 



;. 4. 


4. 





3. 


17. 





'6. 


17. 





3. 


17. 





49. 








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12 

Maj. -General William Heath, Capt. Tliomas Jackson and Major Jonathan 

Pollard. 
An Abstract for Six Weeks Pay from the first Day of January 1777 for 
a Detachment of Men under the Command of Cap* L'. Thomas Jackson of 
the Artillery 

1 Sergant . . a OOs. 

1 Corporal . .a o^s. 

1 l>oinbardiar . . a oos. 

1 Guimer . . a .').")s. 

14 Matrosses . . a oOs. 

To Travelling IMoney Due for 18 ^ 

Men from Peekskill to Boston Beign > 

•220 Miles a 20 Miles for 1 Days Travelling ) 
the Whole Amount . . . . . £. 81. 5. 

Thomas Jackson Cap*. L*. Artillery 

Roxbury, March lo*'' 1777. 
Received of Major-General Heath the above abstract in fnll 

Tho' Jackson Cap' L* Artillery 

To Ebenezer Hancock Esq. Deputy Paymaster General to 

The Forces of the United States of America 
Sir 

Pay to Major Jonathan Pollard Two Hundred and Sevent}- Dollars | 

as a refund of the within, for which this shall be your Sufficient Warrant 

Given at Head Quarters wt -t^ -xt r^ 

T> . Ti* I .nth 1^ *V. Heath, M.G. 

Boston March 2*J'" li n 

Received the above for Major-General Heath, 

Jon' Pollard A D"' 

Gen. Joseph Spencer. 
He lield tlic rank of JNIajor in the colonial army in 1756. He was 
appointed Brigadier-General in the continental army, June 22, 
1 775, and Major-Gieneral Aug. 9, 1770. In 1777 he was in command 
of the forces on Rhode Island. He resigned June, 1778, and was 
elected a delegate to Congress the same year. He died at East- 
Haddam, Conn., January, 1789, aged 75 years. 

c- Providence 10'^ Dec'. 1777 

Sir 

According to agreement with M' Adams when here 1 wrote to him to 
be here to pay the Troops the beginning of this Week and accoi'ding to his 
desire ordered the OtHcers to be here ready with their abstracts, and not 
until yesterday did I know but that the Cash would be ready. Yesterday 
Sundry Officers came for their pay, and then I Rec'd a Letter from JM'' 
Adams informing that he had no Cash to bring which is a verv unhappy 
disappointment to the Troops and happening at the present Juncture is very 
jjiejudicial to me in my Command at this place and indeed I am in absolute 
need of Three or Four Thousand pounds of Cash to provide for the neces- 
sary subsistance of the Army — I think. Sir, out of what Cash you have 1 
ought to have my part. 1 must depend on some. I shall soon be at Boston 



13 

on other business as well as this, when I shall wait on you relative to this 
matter. 

I am Sir your Ilumlile Serv' 
P^ben'' Hancock Esq. Jo^ Spknckr iM.G. 

[Afhlressed: "On (,ul)lick Service" " EIjcu"" Hancock Ks<] | D^ Pay 
Master Gen' | to the Eastern Department | Boston "J 

Col. Jonathan TriunhuU. 

In 177.")-8 he was paymaster of the northern department of tlie 
army, and in 1780 first aide-de-camp to Wasliin<;ton, with wliom 
he remained until the chjse of the war. This letter is franked by 
his father, "Brother Jonathan," the friend of ^^■asllin^ton. 

gjj. Lel)anon 19"' Jan^. 1778 

The Draft from Continental Treasury Board in my Favor on your 
office for 200,000 Dolhirs whicli was protested by you on the 10"" of' last 
Month has been to Congress, & is now returned to me again, witii Instructions 
"to hold it in my Custo ly. untill there shall be Cash in the Massachusetts 
Loan Office for supplying the Amount which the Treasury Board are 
assured will, by partial Payments, be coinpleated at no very distant Period." 
You will be so good Sir, as to inform me pr this Messenger, what Prospect 
there is of the money being obtained — to prevent Trouble &. Expence I shall 
be glad to be furnished with the whole Sum att one Payment if possil)le, if 
tliat oainiot be soon compleated, our necessities will oblige me to call for a 
])artial Payment whenever you inform of any considerable Part being ready. 
Our Department has already suffered very Deeply by the Disappointments 
occasioned by M'' Hancock's unaccountable Delay — or non Intbrmation of 
the first Draft which was Dated IG"' Oct" — On which, if it had l)een 
forwarded agreable to the Expectations of Congress I ;im told the Money 
might have l)een received — the money for supply of this Failure, has not vet 
been furnished at my office — the Distress of many f)r Want of it is great 
— great Part of which falls on the Militia of your State — who are at this 
Day unpaid for their Services in Gen' Gates army last Fall 
I send this pr special Messinger who will wait your Reply. 

I am Sir 

Your most humble Servant 
Nathan' Appleton Esq Jon" Trumbull Jun'. P. M. G. 

Northern Department 
[Suj^erscribed , " Public Service " 

franked "Jonathan Trumbull" 
Addressed : " Nath.aniel Appleton Esq | Commissioner of Loan Office | 
State of Massachusetts Bay "] 

Lord Stirling ( William Alejcander). 
He was born New- York city in 1726, and died Albany, Jan. 15, 
1783. He was a CJolonel in 1775, and was made a l>rig,adier-Gene- 
ral by Congress, jNIareh, 177l). He distinguished himself in various 
battles during the Kevolution. 



14 

Aquakanock Octob'' o. 1778. 

Dr Sir 

I must (lesii'e that you will immediately march with your whole force 
iiichuliii<r militia up to the Heights near Second River, a detachment of the 
Enemy ?s on the hei<,d)ts near^Arant Schylers, you will Do your best to 
Anoydiem in Case tiiey should Attempt to i)ass the River below us. Let 
me hear from you as often as possible 

I am 
Colonel Dayton. your most Mumble Serv' 

Elizabeth Town Stirling 

let the River be examined to see if they have any boats in it. 
[Addressed: "To Co' Dayton | Elizabeth Town"] 

Gen. Riifas Putnam. 
He was born in Sutton, Mas*;., April 9, 1788, and died at Mari- 
etta, Ohio, May 4, 1824, In 17 <5 he joined tlie army of the llevo- 
liition as a Lieut. Cohmel in tiie rciiiment of Col. David Brewer. 
He served with distinction as an engineer and commander until the 
close of the war. 

Coller Barrack February y-^ 20"'. 1771). 
Sir. 

I send vou six men to chop logs you will Qii irter them and Imploy 
them as you think propper if a Sawyer is wanted 1 can fiuinsh one. 

T> n t i.^i Yours. 

To Cap' Mowers ^ Putnam Col" 

P. S. The Mens Names 
are 

Jonathan llarwood 

Enoch Fuller 

Isaac Ti-ain 

John Church 

John Cummins 

John Ayres. 
[Addressed: " To Cai)* Flowers''] 

Richard Hent'y Lee. 

Philadelphia March 29. 1779. 
Dear Sir, 

I am honored with your favor of the 19"^. and thank you for it. I 
alvvays thought too well of your wisdom and justice to suppose you could 
be intiuenced by the most groundless, ill designing, and improi)able calumnies 
that ever were devised by wicked minds. From the most intimate confiden- 
tial correspondence and from the best information, I have abundant reason 
to be satisfied that both my brothers in Europe are as firmly attached to the 
independence and happiness of Ainerica as any men that breathe the vital 
air. I should detest them if I thought otherways, or had any reason to 
think of them than as I have above expressed. A strict adherance to duty, 
active Services for their Country, and opposition to public peculation has 
drawn this cahunny on them. Mr Ford being such a mau as you describe, 



15 

and having with him authentic documents to prove that he had been confided 
ill by one of these States might well impose upon D'. Lee who was an utter 
stranger to any misconduct that he had been guilty of here. I will answer 
for it, that he wont remain an hour in his employment after the Doctor 
knows his character. I shall be greatly concerned indeed if we have been 
so unfortunate as to have lost the military Stores that you expected. But 
since D' Lee does not mention anything in his letters to me about having 
shipjied them, and not having seen any mention of such capture in the N. 
York papers, I yet hope they may be safe. T'is true the number of 
privateers that avarice and enmity have equipped from N.York & Bermuda 
to cruise on our trade is very great indeed. I think by their list they 
amount to more than eighty. Some Frigates are ordered to clear our Coast 
of these Rovers, and I hope they will be successful, l^ut this destination 
of our Frigates ought not to be made public. I wish with all my heart we 
had any important intelligence to communicate to you. 1 know of none, 
unless what I have before written, that we have very good reason to know 
that our enemies have no prospect of aid of any kind from any P^uropean 
Power to assist them in their war against us. Holland seems much disposed 
to us, at least Amsteidain is securely with us, and that is a Powerful Part 
of their Union. Tbe King of the two Siclies has opened his Ports to us, 
and the English themselves Publish that Spain has notified to the Court of 
London that they will join France if the former does not acknowledge the 
Independence of America and make peace. But such is the distinctive 
obstinacy and wickedness of our enemies, that they appear determined to 
try another Campaigu, and therefore our efforts should be exerted to leeu- 
force our Army with all possible dispatch. 

The malice of our foes must recoil upon their own heads, if we are but 
wise and take the necessary precautions. 

I am, dear Sir, yours with much 

Affection and Sincerity 

RiCHAUU Henky Lke. 

[Addressed & franked : "Honorable John Page, esquire [ at Williams- 
burg, in I Virginia." 

" K. H. Lee "] 

Gen. Mordccai Gist. 
He was born in Baltimore, Md., 174o, and was appointed major 
of a battalion of Maryland rcgjulars, in July, 1776, attached to the 
brigade under the command of Lord Stirling. In 1777 he Avas 
promoted to colonel, and was engaged in the battle of Germantown. 
In 1771) Congress appointed him a brigadier general, and be served 
with distinction throughout the war. 

Camp Butter Milk Falls. 
24 July I77U. 
Dear Sir. 

It is now two Weeks since my arrival from the S. Ward during which 
time my liorses have had no Forrage of any kind whatever, which 
with the fatigue of a long Journey has operated so forcibly on the frame 
& Spirit of those Honest Creatui-es. that you might from apj^earances, 
venture to swear they have suffei'ed all the pains of transmutation ; pray my 
Dear Sir remedy this evil or enable the bearer my Brigade ***** the 



16 

request of INIrs Alexander I have to inform you that she with her family & 
Miss Buchanan are in perfect health & beg their compliments to you 

With clue Respect 

I am Sir 

y"" mo Hum Serv' 

M. Gist. 

William Eastis, LL.D. 
He Avas born CambritJoe, Mass., June 10, 1753, and died in 
Boston, Feb. 6, 1825. He entered tlie army as a regimental sur- 
o-eon in 1775, and served during- the Kevolution. He was a mem- 
ber of Congress 1800-5 and 1820-o ; Secretary of War, 1809-12 ; 
Minister to Holland in 1815; and Governor of Massaciuisetts in 
1824-5, dying while in office. 

Dear Craigie 

There is so favorable an opportunity by Doctor Foster to remind you 
of your promise last Winter that I cannot suffer it to pass unimproved. 
For God's Sake (if not for the sake of your friends) let us have the pleasure 
to hear from you. Acquaint us what methods you pursue in Philadelphia 
rather what steps Congress imagine we shall veiy shortly be obliged to take. 
Is it not astonishing that regardless of the decent applications from the 
medical dep' they use us with a neglect which would weary the patience of 
Job ? Do they imagine us stocks and stones ? and are we not human 
nature ? 

I do assure you, my good friend our ill treatment is not seldom mentioned 
by officers of the line & its only palliative is that we have the honor to taste 
that inattention which the Saviours of this Country have long experienced : 
I have not time to write Doctor Browne by this opportunity and will 
thank you to inform him that after signing one copy of the Pai)er I have 
transmitted it to Doctor AVarren in Boston : and another to Dr. Turner in 
Norwich to be sent on by him to Dr. Adams &c at Providence : mentioning 
the necessity of their loosing not a post, but of forwarding them to D"^ 
lirowne in Ph: as soon as possible. To Doctors Foster & Ledyard I have 
likewise given a copy which I imagine Doctor Foster is to take on with 
him to Philadel[)hia. 

One good effect will at least be produced by this which from its nature 
must be our last representation to Congress. January will either give us 
some compensation for five the most valuable years in life expended in the 
service of the country, or it will send us home with a most useful lesson : 
and which alternative will conduce most to our advantages as individuals, I 
am utterly at a loss to determine 

Adieu, my dear friend and believe me with affection y*^ fi'iend & servant 

William FIustis. 
22 October At Robinsons House 
And"" Craigie Esq. [177'J near West Point] 

Gen. Joseph Reed. 

He was born Trenton, N. J., Aug 27, 1741, and died Phila- 
delphia, March 5, 1785. A lawyer by profession, he took an ae- 



17 

tive part in the early movements in favor of independence. He v^^as 
a member of the Committee of Correspondence, President of the 
first Pennsylvania Convention in 1775, and delegate to Congress. 
At the solicitation of Washington, in 1775, he accompainicd him 
to Cambridge as his first Secretary and Aide-de-Camp. In 1777 
he was appointed Chief Jnstice of Pennsylvania, and by Congress 
a Brigadier General — both of whicli he declined. He served as a 
volunteer at the battles of Brandy wine. White Marsh, Germantown 
and Monmouth. He was a member of Congress in 1778, and a 
signer of the Confederation. He held many other important posi- 
tions, and aided man}- philanthropic movements. 

Jan 7. 1780, 
Dear General 

I received your Letter last Evening giving me Expectation of meeting 
you this Day : Hut not hearing from 3'ou, I have sent again to know whether I 
may expect you & when & whetlier any Persons on the Part of the Troop 
will make known their Complaints, which will most certainly be redressed 
on every reasonable Point, & when any Doal)t arises the Construction to be 
in Favour of the. Soldiers. The Proposals made by them on the 4"^ Inst, 
seem to form a reasonable Ground of Accomodation. The 4"' Article has 
been hastily drawn, their own Ex|)erienne will convince them of the 
Necessity of some Alteration. It will be necessary also to distinguish those 
who have freely eidisted for the War, otherwise all Contract is at an End. 
& when they are rei] nesting an Allowance for Depreciation agreable to 
Contract, they certainly will not vindicate a Preach of Contract. We will 
also agree upon some equitable Mode of determining who are so enlisted 
which may be done by three Persons agreed on for that Purpose. But this 
will not exclude those from a Gratuity proportioned to their service. They 
may depend upon every just & I'easonable allowance & I hope they have 
too much Honour & Spirit to tarnish their former good conduct by asking 
unreasonable Things, or those which are impracticable. Tlieir honourable 
& patriotick Conduct this morning will be ever remembered & suitably 
rewanle*! if nothing unfavorable to their Country should happen. Should 
they refuse to serve their Country at this time it will be an eternal Reproach 
to the State to which they belong & to which they have done so much 
Honour by their Bravery & they must acknowledge that when they compare 
the Conduct of the State to them with that of most of the States, they have 
been better provided than others. Those who after being discharged choose 
to reinlist will be kindly received-but they will be at their own Liberty to do 
so or not. If they choose to engage again they will be allowed Furlows to see 
their Friends when the Circumstances of the Army will admit — The Arrears 
of Pay, Depreciations, Cloathing &c. I mentioned in my former letter these 
will be taken care of immediately. Should they take any rash step after this 
all the world will condemn them, & they will condemn themselves : for 
America will not be lost, if they decline their Asistance to save her. 

I am Dear Sir 

Your Obed Hble Ser' 

Jo' Reed 



18 



Gen. David Cohh. 
He was born in Attlel)orough, JNIass., Sept. 14, 1748, and died 
April 17, 18r30. He graduated at Harvard College, 17(36, and prac- 
tised medicine in Boston and Taunton for several years. He was a 
member of the Provincial Congress in 1775 from Taunton, having 
as colleague Robert Treat Paine, afterwards a signer of the Declara- 
tion of Independence. He entered the army in 1777, and was 
appointed by Washington one of his Aides-de-Camp in June. 1781, 
in whose family he remained till the close of the war. He was ap- 
pointed by Gov. Hancock a judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 
and Major-General of the militia, in which positions he showed 
much ability and determination of character. In 1789 he was 
Speaker of the House of liepresentatives, and in 1793 elected mem- 
ber of Congress, Senator in 1795, and in 1809 Lieut. -Governor of 
the State. [See Registek, viii. 5.] 

Boston April 25'\ 1780. 
Dear Col". 

I got to this Town, from Taunton last Evening, & to my very great 
disappointment fonnd M'' Lovell here, with my great Letter in possession, 
that I wrote you a montli ago, I was damn'd mad in seeing him & more so, 
when I was inform'd that lie had not sent my Letter, as it contains matters 
that you'd he fond of knowing — As I have just got to Town, can't be able 
to inform you any particulars relating to cloathing, small stores &c. but 
shall write you next post what scituation they are in — 

M'' Lovell's detention was occasioned by the lameness of his Horse, the 
poor fellow had bo't him and that cost him \ part of his Depreciation &, in 
three days after he was Kick'd in such a manner that he has not been out 
of the stable these three weeks — we Gent". Oificers are not able to purchase 
Horses every month — Lovell feels anxious about his being detain'd, but his 
scituation cou'd not be prevented. 

Your Friend 
Col. Jackson. David Cobb 



[Addressed : " Col Henry Jackson | Headquarters "] 



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